“The world has changed a lot in the last year, but here at the Ayurvedic Wellness Centre this week, we’re looking back a little further. Because 10 years ago today, we set out on a journey that would change our lives for the better: we created a place where we could change the lives of others.”
And while a lot has changed since opening the Ayurvedic Wellness Centre, one thing has stayed the same: our passion for helping people in our community find the nourishment, healing and balance that Ayurveda has brought to the lives of millions for over 5,000 years.
10 years have flown by quickly, so today 1 May 2021, we’re celebrating the wonderful journey that has brought the Ayurvedic Wellness Centre to where it is today: our team, our treatments, and most of all, you, our valued customers. It’s your enthusiasm and support that has helped us bring this dream to life! We are very grateful for all your valuable testimonials.
Humble beginnings
Rita began her journey into Ayurveda two decades ago, when she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Despite consulting with many specialists and doctors, Western medicine failed to yield a proper treat, and the disease took a debilitating toll on Rita’s career in the fashion industry – as well as her quality of life.
Frustrated by the inadequacy of Western medicine, Rita turned to her roots. Growing up in an Ayurvedic household, Rita found herself inspired by her grandmother’s status among the community as an Ayurvedic doctor. Returning to India, Rita sought an Ayurvedic clinic and underwent a Panchakarma detox with an intensive cycle of therapies to restore her depleted energy.
Her doctor ordered a change of diet, prescribed specific herbal supplements, and recommended a daily schedule of yoga and meditation. Within just seven days, Rita’s body was showing clear signs of healing, and Rita knew she had found the solution. It was from this experience that her passion for Ayurvedic healing grew. After deepening her understanding of health care and the pharmaceutical industry, and studying Ayurveda with Deepak Chopra, Rita with a dream to bring traditional Indian healing practices with her. In May 2011, she opened the Ayurvedic Wellness Centre in Bondi Junction.
Finding our feet
The first few years were ones of incredible growth and new experiences. We attended events like the Bondi Festival and the Conscious Club to gain inspiration and build our community. We started hosting our own Info Nights, to deepen both our community connections and our knowledge of the traditional, ancient healing practices we use to create positive change in their – and our – lives.
With a small team of two and just two treatment rooms, we invited a few friends and held a traditional Dhanwantri blessing, and just like that – our doors were open.
Healing treatments
In our first few years, we provided our signature abhyanga treatments, with Kizhi, Shirodhara and Udvartana coming up as firm favourites among our customers.
In 2012, with the addition of a new Ayurvedic doctor to the team, a new and lasting favourite treatment arrived at the centre: the traditional Panchakarma detox. It’s been full speed ahead with Ayurvedic detoxes ever since, as hundreds of customers every year arrive at the centre run-down, stressed out and ailing with aches and pains that Western medicine just can’t fix.
It’s the incredible results that we’re able to help our clients achieve that makes this both the most popular and most rewarding treatment we provide.
Some notable visitors
Once we’d found our footing in Bondi Junction, it wasn’t long before some recognisable faces showed up at the centre. We’ve been lucky to meet celebrities from every walk of life, who – just like the rest of us – sought to heal the wear and tear that modern life inflicts on our bodies, minds, and spirit.
Leading cricketers, film directors, actresses, writers, judges, and singers have come through our doors since we opened, assuring us that the Ayurvedic Wellness Centre is the preferred natural and holistic healing establishment in Sydney.
Recognition
Five years after we opened, the Ayurvedic Wellness Centre was far from its beginnings as one of Sydney’s ‘hidden gems’ in the health and wellness space. We were providing thousands of treatments each year, and soon our growth and excellence saw the Ayurvedic Wellness Centre becoming a finalist for the Australian Small Business of the Year Award in 2016.
In 2019, Rita’s passion and deep expertise in Ayurvedic healing was recognised by the Ayurvedic Association of Australia. This award confirmed what 17,972 of our customers had already experienced: the authenticity and dedication with which Rita and the team bring India’s traditional healing practices to the Centre in Australia
Meeting challenges with determination
As many of you already know, running a business isn’t always sunshine and rose petals. Recently, we faced one of our greatest obstacles yet, when our beloved Bondi Junction clinic was damaged in a fire.
The fire happened during the busiest time of the year, so we had no time to spare: we set about finding a new premises. Within weeks, we were celebrating the opening of our brand new and improved centre in Woollahra.
The Ayurvedic Wellness Centre today
We consider ourselves among the luckiest in the world to have made our passion our life’s work, and we look forward to bringing nourishment, healing and balance to our community for years to come.
As the world returns to normal, we’ll be starting up Info Nights again, so we can share our own knowledge and experience, as well as that of Australia’s most prominent Ayurvedic practitioners, with members of our thriving community over dinner.
Have you got your gift yet?
We’re so excited to show you our new centre that we’re offering a free gift with treatments or gift vouchers purchased during May. Simply buy a gift voucher on our website or drop into the Ayurvedic Wellness Centre for treatment, and you’ll receive one of our new environmentally-friendly tote bags – valued at $30 – on your way out.
